Rent: notice to quit?

Our tenancy is due at the end of January, however we've just received a letter from our landlord's agents, asking us if we want to renew the contract. We are not sure... would like to have a look around, but in our contract doesn't say what the minimum notice is. Does anyone know how the law goes?

Also, last year they increased the rent, is it normal to do it every year? Any tips on negotiating this?

It is true many amateur LL who got into buy-to-let have no idea about the law and agents just take them and tenants for a ride demanding fees for lease renewals that are not necessary.

Your LL may be perfectly happy but has no idea that they dont need to pay for a renewal. I would contact the LL direct and just tell the LL to get the agent to back off. Copy the Shelter website I linked to your LL.

The clause which states you have to allow viewings in unenforcable in law but in reality I always agree to this in return for 24 hr notice. It means good relations and a good reference but agents often try and abuse it by ringing at short notice demanding to be let in. I stand very firm on this -a rented property is your home not a hotel room.

Oh well, I did them, wrote to the landlord an email saying that I would be willing to stay and renew another year IF all the conditions stayed the same (i.e. no rent increase). Got an autoreply message because the person in charge was on holiday (our landlord is an agency).

However, since then it's been terribly cold. This might seem very Dickensian, but we keep getting sick because the flat is very old and the windows are not well isolated (just a very glass so have to have the heating on ALL the time, otherwise it's chilly!).

I've then changed my mind and think we'd better try to find another flat... Do you think it would be a problem if I've already told them now that I don't want to renew? Our current tenancy expires in a bit less of 2 months, so plenty of time, but I'm afraid that because I sent them that email they might touch our deposit.

You only have to give a month's notice in law. Have you ever received a reply to your original email? I would send another saying that you will be moving out at the end of January, you don't have to give a reason and I think it is unlikely that they would have started advertising or showing the flat until after Christmas anywa. There is no reasonable reason that they can touch your deposit on the basis of that. If they do, take it up with the deposit company that it has been registered with.

just let them know ASAP that you want to leave - a proper letter would be a better idea, sent by recorded delivery. Your deposit should be in a protected scheme and they can't touch it just because they feel like it. You should have the details of that protected scheme.

BTW cold temperatures do not cause illness, and the windows are presumably in the same state as when you moved in.

specialsubject thanks for your comment. Yes the windows are in the same state, but it's too cold anyway. DD has been getting sick for two years too often and I believe this has a lot to do with it. And yes, cold temperatures do make you ill, otherwise what's the whole point of keeping ourselves warm!? http://www.uiltexas.org/health/info/cold-weather-illness